Entering Natural Bodybuilding Competitions
A person planning on entering natural bodybuilding competitions should be aware of the rules. It is not just about being able to present a good body, but you will need to follow the guidelines of the contest.
The basic meaning of natural bodybuilding is that there are not illegal drugs used. A person would need to pass a screening test to qualify to compete. Any individual wanting to compete will need to check the lists of banned substances before they get involved in developing a supplement program.
All athletes are tested for these banned substances if they are interested in entering into a natural bodybuilding competition. These tests are run within a two month time period before the competition is going to be held in order to be eligible. If an athlete is found to have one of the banned substances in their system, they are suspended from a year up to a lifetime suspension, depending on the offense. If it is a national team member who has failed, they are banned from the team for life. When an athlete is banned from a natural bodybuilding competition their picture, name and test results are posted for public viewing. Included in the banned substances are some weight loss products like ephedrine, DHEA and Andro.
Competitions - Know the Pose
When athletes are ready and qualified to enter a natural bodybuilding competition they must be prepared with the ten mandatory poses and the ninety minute routine of free poses and physical movement. The ten mandatory poses show off the muscles in all parts of the body and are the same for men and women except for the last pose. The last pose shows Most Muscular for men and Most Symmetrical for women. Otherwise the poses cover the biceps, deltoids, lats, and quads and allow the judges to look for the symmetry, size, shape, division and other features that helps them make their decision.
The routines in natural bodybuilding competitions are fun to watch because they are each unique. In the routine, the athlete has ninety seconds to show off their free style poses to music, in addition to any physical talents that they might have. Some athletes are trained in karate or gymnastics which makes for a truly amazing routine, depending on their expertise. The judges look for the poise of the athletes during the routine, as well as the fluidity of movement, endurance and physicality.
The Competition
As the competition begins all the contestants in each class will come out and stand in front of the judges. This part of the competition is the semi-relaxed pose. In other words, what do they look like just standing their. They must also turn to the right as directed all together a quarter turn at a time. This provides the judges with equal views of all the competitors.
This provides and overall idea for the judges of each competitor before the real showdown begins.
